CHICAGO – Lt. Governor Simon will declare it “The Onion Day” in Illinois on Tuesday, July 31 in honor of the satirical newspaper making Chicago its international headquarters. The declaration will come during a fund raiser for the Better Government Association emceed by WGN TV’s Larry Potash and Robin Baumgarten that features special performances by a banjo-toting Simon and The Onion Players.

The Onion claims to be the “biggest, most expansive, most powerful, most terrifying and most influential media company in the civilized world.” Leaving behind New York City, The Onion consolidated its media operations in Chicago this month, and recently broke ground on a new studio in River North for digital video production. The Onion will move 100 employees to the new offices and studio in October.

The Onion leaders attribute the relocation to the Illinois tax credit for web video, TV and film production, as well as the city’s comedy scene and proximity to Hot Doug's Encased Meat Emporium and Hotdog Superstore. Simon will dedicate a new song to The Onion and the BGA for their work in exposing political corruption and promoting government transparency.